Sebastian (I) Klotz
Mittenwald, 1696–1775
Sebastian (I) Klotz (1696-1775) was a significant Mittenwald violin maker, recognized as the son, pupil, and successor of Matthias Klotz. He took ownership of the family home in Herrenglasse in 1728 and was the father of three violin-making sons: Georg Karl, Aegidius, and Joseph Thomas. He also trained four apprentices. John Dilworth describes his style as sophisticated, blending Amati and Stainer influences, while Willibald Leo Lütgendorff highlights his superior and distinctive varnish. His production evolved over time, with his sons and pupils contributing significantly to his later work.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
51 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label, original neck Lot 18 | Vichy | December 2025 | £9,135est. € 4.000-5.000 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label, unstuck cover Lot 358 | Vichy | November 2023 | £7,786est. € 3.000-4.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Sebastian Kloz, in Mittenwald, An. 1743 Lot 77 | Tarisio | June 2023 | £6,753est. $ 7,000-10,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Jacobus Stainer, in Absam, prope Oenipontum, 1653 Lot 41 | Ingles & Hayday | March 2022 | £13,200est. £ 8,000-12,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Sebastian Kloz, in Mittenwald, An. 1755 Lot 183 | Ingles & Hayday | March 2022 | £9,600est. £ 8,000-12,000 |
| Viola | Unlabelled, inscribed illegibly to the inside top Lot 41 | Tarisio | February 2020 | £19,462est. $ 12,000-18,000 |
| Violin | One-piece back, varnish of a golden brown colour Lot 33 | Apollium | November 2019 | £2,046est. € 2.000-3.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Antonius & Hieronymus Fr Amati, Cremonen Andrea fil F 1631 Lot 61 | Brompton’s | October 2016 | £14,400est. £ 12,000-18,000 |
| Violin | Violin, 1770 c. Lot 255 | Brompton’s | March 2016 | £5,040est. £ 3,000-5,000 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's original label Lot 55 | Vichy | June 2015 | £11,386est. € 4.000-5.000 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label Lot 158 | Vichy | June 2013 | £6,630est. € 6.000-8.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Antonio & Hieronymus Amati ... Lot 238 | Brompton’s | March 2012 | £11,400est. £ 7,000-10,000 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm Mittenwald, 1750 c. | — | January 2011 | £6,000 |
| Violin | 35.2 cm Mittenwald, 1750 c. | — | January 2009 | £2,400 |
| Violin | 35.0 cm Mittenwald, mid-18th C. | — | January 2009 | £7,500 |
| Cello | 68.2 cm 3/4 size 1750 c. Ascribed to & probably by | — | January 2009 | £5,823 |
| Violin | 35.2 cm Mittenwald 18th C. | — | January 2009 | £3,810 |
| Violin | 35.2 cm Mittenwald, 18th C. | — | January 2008 | £7,085 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm | — | January 2008 | £3,384 |
| Violin | 35.2 cm Mittenwald, 1753 | — | January 2008 | £5,756 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm | — | January 2008 | £5,714 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Mittenwald, 1750 c. Probably by | — | January 2007 | £1,598 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Mittenwald, 1768 | — | January 2007 | £6,671 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm 1760 c. | — | January 2006 | £6,600 |
| Violin | late-18th C. | — | January 2005 | £3,474 |
| Violin | (head later) Ascribed to | — | January 2005 | £1,965 |
| Violin | 1750 c. | — | January 2005 | £3,119 |
| Violin | Mittenwald, 1754 Sebastian (I.) | — | January 2005 | £3,840 |
| Violin | Mittenwald, 1750 c. | — | January 2005 | £2,381 |
| Violin | Mittenwald, 1752 Sebastian (I.) | — | January 2004 | £5,040 |
| Violin | 1751 | — | January 2002 | £1,261 |
| Violin | 1751 | — | January 2002 | £4,800 |
| Violin | 1750 | — | January 2000 | £1,440 |
| Violin | 1751 | — | January 2000 | £2,300 |
| Violin | 1763 | — | January 1999 | £15,000 |
| Violin | 1755 | — | January 1998 | £1,495 |
| Violin | 1767 | — | January 1998 | £2,610 |
| Violin | 1750 | — | January 1996 | £8,280 |
| Violin | 1760 | — | January 1995 | £2,336 |
| Violin | 17-- | — | January 1994 | £345 |
| Violin | 17-- | — | January 1994 | £1,725 |
| Violin | 1770 | — | January 1994 | £1,929 |
| Violin | 1749 | — | January 1994 | £6,670 |
| Violin | 1774 | — | January 1993 | £2,415 |
| Violin | 1760 c. | — | January 1993 | £2,990 |
| Violin | 1730 c. | — | January 1993 | £1,207 |
| Violin | 1760 c. | — | January 1992 | £1,980 |
| Violin | 17-- | — | January 1992 | £3,300 |
| Viola | 37.9 cm 1736 | — | January 1987 | £3,080 |
| Cello | 1729 | — | January 1984 | £5,720 |
| Viola | 38.1 cm 1736 | — | January 1980 | £1,760 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Sebastian (I) Klotz (1696-1775) was born in 1696 and died in 1775 in Mittenwald, Germany. He was the son, pupil, and successor of Matthias Klotz., he worked in the family home in Herrenglasse, taking ownership in 1728. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that he was married to Rosina Mayrin and is referred to as 'Plectopöus' in documents. He was the father of three violin makers: Georg Karl, Aegidius, and Joseph Thomas. From approximately 1760, his production declined into more routine work, which was probably executed mainly by his sons and pupils.
Characteristics
- Style
- John Dilworth describes his style as very sophisticated, midway between Amati and Stainer, and sometimes slightly oversized. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states that his violins were made in the Stainer style but were somewhat less arched.
- Varnish
- Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that his varnish was thicker and better than his father's, of various colors, mostly reddish-brown or dark brown, and sometimes resembled that of Albani.
- Labels
- Original labels are comparatively rare, and many examples are found with generic Mittenwald Amati or Stainer tickets. Instruments were sometimes inscribed internally with 'S.K.'. Manuscript labels were used up until approximately 1750, with printed labels thereafter. An example label reads: 'Sebastian Kloz, in / Mittenvvald, An. 1752 [Layer, Baader]'.
- Notable Instruments
- A violin from 1740 is held in Berlin from the Snoeck Collection (No. 513), and an alto viola from 1734 was in the Scheurleer Collection.
- Sebastian Kloz, in
Mittenvvald, An. 1752John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: He was the son and pupil of Matthias Klotz.
- Apprentices: He taught four apprentices: Anton, Andreas, and Johann Augustin Gasler (Gassler), and Johann Georg Psenner (II).
- Family Continuity: He was the father of three violin makers: Georg Karl, Aegidius, and Joseph Thomas.
- Reputation: John Dilworth considers him one of the finest makers of the family.
Further Information
- Workshop Location: He worked in the family home in Herrenglasse.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
KLOTZ, Sebastian (I) Born 1696, died 1775 Mittenwald Germany Son, pupil, and successor of Matthias Klotz, above. Worked in the family home in Herrenglasse, taking ownership in 1728. Father of three violin makers: Georg Karl, Aegidius and Joseph Thomas. He also taught four apprentices: Anton, Andreas, and Johann Augustin Gasler (Gassler), and Johann Georg Psenner (II). One of the finest makers of the family, with a very sophisticated style midway between Amati and Stainer, sometimes slightly oversized. From c.1760 his production declined into more routine work, probably executed in the main by his sons and pupils. Original labels are comparatively rare and many examples are found with generic Mittenwald Amati or Stainer tickets. Sometimes inscribed internally: ‘S.K.’. Manuscript labels up until c.1750; thereafter printed. Sebastian Kloz, in / Mittenvvald, An. 1752 [Layer, Baader]
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Er war ein Sohn von Math. I. Kl. aus dessen erster Ehe und wird in den Urkunden als Plectopöus bezeichnet. Vermählt war er mit Rosina Mayrin. Seine Geigen sind nach Stainer gemacht, aber etwas weniger gewölbt und denen des Math. I. weitaus vorzuziehen; auch sein Lack ist dicker und besser als der seines Vaters, von verschiedener Farbe, meistens rothbraun oder dunkelbraun, und ähnelt manchmal dem von Albani. Eine Violine von ihm aus dem Jahre 1740 besitzt Berlin aus der Sammlung Snoeck (No. 513); eine Altviola von 1734
war in der Sammlung Scheurleer.
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